Sep 12, 2023 1:06 PM
Erica Seguine & Shon Baker: Reinventing the Big Band
Unlike the retro swing revival of the 1990s, the current incarnation emerged from conservatories, not bandstands and…
A new breed of New York-based contemporary jazz composers that includes Erica Seguine (left) and Shon Baker is reinventing orchestral music for the 21st century.
Sep 12, 2023 1:06 PM
Unlike the retro swing revival of the 1990s, the current incarnation emerged from conservatories, not bandstands and…
The new recording from Kris Davis’ Diatom Ribbons puts the pianist front and center of the jazz vanguard. From left, Davis, Trevor Dunn, Terri Lyne Carrington, Val Jeanty and Julian Lage.
Sep 6, 2023 12:37 PM
In late May 2022, Kris Davis realized a dream. She and her ensemble Diatom Ribbons performed six nights at New York’s…
“I’ll produce my own projects,” says drummer and composer Tyshawn Sorey. “I’ll do it my way, and I’ll do it well.”
Sep 6, 2023 12:27 PM
When Tyshawn Sorey turned 40 a few months into the pandemic lockdown, he decided henceforth to focus on more explicitly…
Christian McBride and writer Ashley Kahn meet for a DownBeat Blindfold Test hosted by New York University’s Jazz Studies program.
Aug 29, 2023 11:41 AM
Christian McBride turned 51 this May 31 and is still pushing far beyond what many might consider conventional career…
“I love working with fully developed artists, getting into their world and learning from them,” says Ben Wendel.
Aug 29, 2023 11:34 AM
For many musicians who found themselves under a veritable house arrest during the COVID lockdown of 2020–’21, the…
Person’s esthetic took shape in an era when jazz functioned as neighborhood social entertainment and moved with a deep dance groove.
Aug 22, 2023 11:52 AM
When tenor saxophone soul maestro Houston Person talks about his life and career — like the time he was studying at…
“Every sound has a color,” says Javon Jackson, shown here with artist Peter Bradley, in discussing the documentary soundtrack.
Aug 22, 2023 11:47 AM
In composing the music for With Peter Bradley, a brilliant new documentary on the abstract painter directed by Alex…
Since moving to New York in 2012, Houston-born drummer Jeremy Dutton has been highly in-demand.
Aug 22, 2023 11:21 AM
He’s played on Blue Note recordings by pianist James Francies and vibraphonist Joel Ross while also making sideman…
“There is a bit of a theme — that it’s a sense of optimism and a sense of togetherness,” bassist Nick Blacka says of the new GoGo Penguin album.
Aug 15, 2023 12:11 PM
Samuel Clemens once said, “What is joy without sorrow? What is success without failure? What is a win without a loss?…
Aug 15, 2023 11:53 AM
“I’m not going to be around forever and ever,” Ramsey Lewis told his co-author Aaron Cohen as they were planning…
